Heffner named second-team All-OVC for second-straight season

Nov 02, 2011

All-league teams announced at OVC banquet Wednesday
evening

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — A second-team All-Ohio Valley
Conference selection for the second consecutive year, Tennessee
Tech junior Leigh Heffner has again been recognized as one of the
top defenders in the conference.

The league released its postseason honor roll Wednesday, with
the Arvada, Colo., native one of six defenders honored. Voting for
the All-OVC teams was conducted among the league’s coaches
and sports information directors.

“Leigh was a true anchor for this season,” said head
coach Daniel Brizard. “She was a leader not only for our
defense, but for the rest of our team by the example of hard work
and dedication she set. I am so happy she has been recognized by
our conference again as one of the best defenders in our
league.”

Heffner started 18 of 19 games this season and played 1,666
minutes on the Golden Eagles’ back line. She finished her
junior campaign with one goal, six shots, four shots on goal and a
.667 shot-on-goal percentage.

She scored her first career goal in overtime of an Oct. 16
Senior Day match against Austin Peay at Tech Soccer Field, lifting
Tech to a 1-0 victory. Heffner scored on a header off a well-placed
Sarah Gawthrop corner kick in the 98th minute, ending
the match with just more than a minute remaining on the clock in
the first overtime period.

She was named OVC Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 18 for
her efforts in matches against Austin Peay and Murray State on Oct.
14. She played all 188 minutes of the games and anchored a back
line that shut out APSU, the Golden Eagles’ second shutout of
the season.

Heffner, a product of Faith Christian Academy, has now played in
57 matches in her three-year TTU career.